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Best Options Strategy for AN

By Yojana Mandon · Updated 2026 · 2 min read · Risk disclaimer

Looking for the best options strategy for AutoNation, Inc. (AN)? There is no single answer — the right play depends on your outlook, your risk tolerance and current implied volatility. Below, our free engine shows the highest-scoring defined-risk strategy on the live AN option chain right now, and a simple map from your view on AN to the strategy that fits it. Model any of them in the calculator before you trade.

About AN

AutoNation, Inc. (AN) is a major company in Auto & Truck Dealerships. Options traders on AN tend to watch , since these can drive large moves in the share price.

Today's top-scoring strategy for AN

Our engine ranks defined-risk strategies on the live AN chain by probability of profit and risk/reward, then surfaces the best-scoring one. It is an educational illustration, not advice.

Long Call Butterfly neutral
Price: $100.00Implied volatility: 32%Expiration: 2026-07-17 (30d)
ActionQtyTypeStrikePremium
BuyCALL$95$6.83
SellCALL$100$3.82
BuyCALL$105$1.87
P/L at expiry vs today At expiry Today ±1σ
$82$100$118
Max Profit
$394
Max Loss
−$106
Net Debit (cost)
$106
Breakeven(s)
$96.06, $103.94
Position Greeks
Δ
0.43
Γ
−1.202
Θ
1.69
ν
−3.16
Time decay (price held)

Simulation

Forward simulation of 6,000 lognormal price paths to expiration — not a historical backtest.

Win rate
33%
Mean P/L
−$2
Median
−$106
Exp. move (1σ)
9%
5th pct
−$106
25th pct
−$106
75th pct
$96
95th pct
$333

Strategy analysis

Simulated price paths (time × price)
now $100BE $96BE $104$86$101$1160d15d30d
$-100$144$388

Greeks vs price

Δ — $ P/L per $1 move in the underlying (share-equivalent exposure).
Θ — $ P/L per day from time decay.
ν — $ P/L per +1% in implied volatility.
Γ — how fast delta changes per $1 move.

Price × volatility (today)

−30%−15%IV+15%+30%
$125−$105−$103−$99−$94−$89
$120−$102−$96−$88−$82−$77
$115−$88−$77−$69−$64−$61
$110−$50−$42−$40−$41−$43
$105$10−$1−$11−$20−$28
$100$42$18$0−$13−$23
$95$3−$7−$16−$25−$32
$90−$64−$55−$52−$51−$52
$85−$98−$91−$84−$78−$75
$80−$105−$103−$100−$96−$92
$75−$106−$106−$105−$104−$101
Analyze AN in the calculator → Share this pick ↗

Illustrative example at AN's latest available price, computed with the same engine as the tool. Live option fills and the real IV skew refresh during US market hours.

Implied volatility

AN typically trades with moderate implied volatility, broadly in line with other large-cap stocks. Implied volatility drives option prices, so it is worth checking the live chain before you trade.

AN insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)

Open-market insider transactions at AN over roughly the last six months, from SEC Form 4 filings. Open-market buys are the rarer, more telling signal — routine selling under pre-arranged plans is common, so read a net-selling figure with that in mind.

Open-market buys
0 · —
Open-market sells
2 · $710K
Net (buy − sell)
−$710K
InsiderActionSharesValueDate
Lutoff-Perlo LisaSell900$198K2026-08-05
DEES KIMBERLYSell2,500$512K2026-05-05

Source: SEC Form 4 filings via Finnhub. Open-market purchases (P) and sales (S) only — grants, option exercises, gifts and tax withholding are excluded. Informational context, not investment advice.

Earnings & IV crush

AN's next earnings report is due around October 29, 2026. Options that expire after it price in a binary move, so their implied volatility is elevated and usually collapses right after the announcement — an "IV crush". If your expiration falls before this date, the trade sidesteps the event.

Key figures

Market cap
$7.0B
Beta (vs market)
0.72
52-week range
$176.62–$235.81
Short interest
9.1% of float · 4.6 days to cover

How to choose an options strategy for AN

Start with your outlook on AN, then match it to a defined-risk structure. Here are the most common choices and when each makes sense:

Bullish

You expect AN to rise

Buy a call for leverage with capped risk, or a bull call spread to lower the cost and breakeven when you have a target price.

Long Call → Bull Call Spread →

Bearish

You expect AN to fall

Buy a put to profit from a decline with defined risk, or a bear put spread to cheapen the trade when you expect a measured move down.

Long Put → Bear Put Spread →

Neutral

You expect AN to trade in a range

Sell an iron condor to collect premium while AN stays between two strikes, or write a covered call against shares you already own.

Iron Condor → Covered Call →

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How we pick the best strategy

For each ticker we pull the live option chain, build every supported strategy around the at-the-money strikes, and score them on probability of profit, risk/reward and capital efficiency — favouring defined-risk structures where the maximum loss is known up front. Methodology →

Open AN in the free calculator →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best options strategy for AN?

It depends on your outlook. Bullish traders often use a long call or bull call spread on AN; bearish traders a long put or bear put spread; neutral traders an iron condor or covered call. Our live scan above shows the current highest-scoring defined-risk play.

Are AN options liquid enough to trade?

AutoNation, Inc. (AN) is among the most actively-traded US options, which usually means tight bid/ask spreads and plenty of strikes and expirations — though you should always check the open interest and spread on the exact contract.

How much money do I need to trade AN options?

Buying a single AN call or put can cost as little as the premium (often one to a few hundred dollars), while income strategies like a cash-secured put need enough capital to buy 100 shares if assigned.

Is this financial advice?

No. Everything here is educational and uses delayed, third-party data. It is not a recommendation to trade AN or any security. Do your own research.

What does AutoNation, Inc. do?

AutoNation, Inc. (AN) operates in the Auto & Truck Dealerships industry. The "About AutoNation, Inc." section above gives a fuller picture of what the company does and how it earns money.

Does AutoNation, Inc. pay a dividend?

We don't show a confirmed dividend yield for AutoNation, Inc. here, so treat it as uncertain: before writing calls, check its current dividend and ex-dividend date with your broker — an approaching ex-dividend date can trigger early assignment on in-the-money short calls.

When does AutoNation, Inc. next report earnings?

AutoNation, Inc.'s next earnings are expected around October 29, 2026. Implied volatility usually climbs into the report and drops sharply afterwards (IV crush) — important for any options position held over the date.

Price trend

Short term · 1M
■ +0.5%
Mid term · 3M
▲ +13.1%
Long term · 1Y
▼ -6.4%

Tickers related to AN

Comparing AN with similar names can help you choose the best options strategy:

GPIGroup 1 Automotive, Inc.PAGPenske Automotive Group, Inc.SAHSonic Automotive, Inc.ABGAsbury Automotive Group, Inc.LADLithia Motors, Inc.SPYSPDR S&P 500 ETF

Company information

Headquarters
200 SW 1st Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301, United States
Industry
Auto & Truck Dealerships
Employees
24,800
CEO
Mr. Michael M. Manley
Phone
954 769 6000
Website
www.autonation.com
Investor relations
investors.autonation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=85803&p=irol-irhome

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Educational use only. Quotes are delayed ~15 minutes and nothing here is financial advice. Options trading involves substantial risk of loss. Privacy · Terms.